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Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Koo Jeong-a illuminates the invisible
A overview of Koo's recent work runs through Jan. 4 at LUMA Arles in southern France ARLES, France — At first, 'Seven Stars,' an installation of 10 paintings by Koo Jeong-a, also known as Koo Jeong A, on view at LUMA Arles in southern France, appears to be a set of abstract paintings. But in a single moment, the space turns into a cosmic world with stars appearing to glow in the dark — like the stars in the sky that are invisible in daylight, but always present. Only 10 people at a time are allowed into the maze-like space at Koo's new solo exhibition. When the light fades out, people freeze — unsure of what is to unfold. Then they soon fall into a meditative state, gazing at the glowing stars before them. When the light comes back on, visitors move again, like players in a game of freeze tag. 'It is a very different cognitive and sensory experience shifting between light and dark — you feel like you are in different worlds,' said Eimear Martin, independent curator at LUMA Arles. 'The silent partner in this work is light. They (paintings) gather energy in light to re-emit.' The 10 paintings from the series were first shown to the public in 2020 at PKM Gallery in Seoul. The works have evolved at LUMA Arles as the curatorial team and the artist incorporated architectural elements — a curtain has been installed behind the works that are concave or convex in shape, like the harmony of yin and yang. 'It is about creating a new space for the work. If the work travels elsewhere, the experience from here remains and that leads to something different. I think that is how the work continues to evolve,' Koo said during an interview with The Korea Herald on July 5 at Drum Cafe at LUMA Arles. Koo — who describes herself as 'living and working everywhere' — incorporates intangible elements or unseen forces, such as light, gravity, magnetic fields and scent into her works in a poetic way. 'Because I move around a lot, I just take my body and my mind — I have spent 30 to 40 years making work, letting it go and moving on, which has been years and years of practice,' Koo said. Scent knows no boundaries — the levitating figure 'Kangse SpSt,' shown at the Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion in 2024, gives off a scent of the combined olfactory memories of people from the two Koreas — countries split by a single line. The figure, leaping upward as if defying gravity, welcomes visitors at the entrance to the arts center's signature building, The Tower. The East Gallery at The Tower — infused with fluorescent pink, again taking people to an unusual different space — shows Koo's 222 whimsical drawings, created on a regular basis, that offer a glimpse into the artist's mind. Some drawings show moments like eating noodles alone, lying in a bed lost in thought and scrubbing a body with a scrub glove, a common scene at public bathhouses in Korea. "When I draw, I go into a room. But if things don't progress in that room, I take a few sheets of paper — enough for maybe three days — and head somewhere else,' she said. 'When there's no creative energy, no momentum, there's nothing you can do. In those moments, I have to change the air somehow.' Some of Koo's works are quirky with a sense of subtle humor and playfulness — something that can also be felt in the way she speaks. For instance, a snowman pierced with 14 acupuncture needles, shown alongside the drawing series, humorously evokes the absurd. 'The snow mass is in the shape of the figure 'eight,' but also in the shape of the symbol of infinity. All these numbers (in Koo's art) have a very particular private significance,' Martin said. The snow mass was created during a residency at the Aspen Art Museum in Colorado in 2007, according to LUMA Arles. During the interview, Koo's 'OooOoO,' painted with fluorescent pigment that illuminates the structure at night, at the public terrace could be seen from the Drum cafe in the building. The skate park is a permanent installation at LUMA Arles, offering people free access. Koo's glowing skate park was first shown in 2012, titled 'Otro,' as part of a landscape project at Vassiviere Island in France. The project aimed to revitalize the area for communal use, she said. 'It (creating art) is how I exist in the world. it is a way of living for me,' she said. 'It is a means of how I communicate with people.' The looping, continuous forms of wooden sculptures, reminiscent of Mobius strips, invite people to sit on them, perhaps to take a break between works at the exhibition. On the surface of the fluid architecture designed by Frank Gehry, are Koo's site-specific rock sculptures '[Ever] [Vast],' created in 2025 inspired by the soaring rock clusters found in the nearby Alpilles Mountains. Next year, Koo will have a solo exhibition at Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, where the artist hinted that the exhibition will be shown in a way that has not been presented before. An artist with over 30 years of career, Koo candidly said her practice was shaped by continuous trial and error. 'As an artist, you have to be tough. A maestro? An artist is nothing like that," Koo said. 'The failures are many, but it is those small successes that give you the strength to keep failing. "When I was younger, even the smallest mistakes would scare me — but the difference now is that I know that I will have to take those risks and jump anyway. When you're trained, you don't become fearless, but you learn how to move through fear," she said. Marking the largest presentation of Koo's works in France to date, the exhibition 'Koo Jeong A: Land of Ousss [Kangse]' at LUMA Arles brings together the artist's works dating back from 2007 to the present. The exhibition opened on July 5 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026.
Vancouver Sun
19-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Anthony Gismondi: These B.C. sparkling wines are among Canada's best
After posting 20 consecutive years of growth, the sparkling wine category took a step back in 2023 and 2024 in the U.S. and Canada. However, at least north of the border, it can hardly be taken as bad news, given that sales were up more than 25 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. It seems that just about every winery in Canada now makes a sparkling wine, which brings us to the first results of the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards, completed late last month in Penticton. The sparkling wine category leads off 15 days of announcements that will culminate in the naming of Canada's two top-performing wineries, under and over 10,000 cases, on July 31 and Aug. 1. B.C. producers earned nearly half the gold medals for wines scoring 91 points or higher, especially in the Blanc de Blanc category, which refers to white sparkling wine made from white grapes — some aged up to 60 months for added complexity. Below is a list of B.C. winners, ranked by their score to two decimal points, including their national ranking and my tasting comments, where applicable. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 2017 Township 7 Seven Stars Sirius, at $80, was No. 2 in the country and a gold-medal winner, scoring 91 points. It turns out that winemaker Mary McDermott's impressive Seven Stars sparkling wine program is as serious as it gets in a non-Champagne context. No. 4 in Canada was the Evolve Cellars 2018 Brut Nature, priced at $58. Bone dry and very impressive, it leads a strong lineup of sparklers that will soon be available at an all-sparkling wine facility the owners of Evolve will open on the Naramata Bench this fall. The following gold medals, ranked 8th, 11th and 12th nationally, demonstrate the breadth of suitable B.C. sparkling terroir, with stops in Kelowna, Langley and Lillooet: Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Blanc de Noir ($42), Fort Berens 2022 Blanc de Blanc ($35), and Township 7 Seven Stars 2020 Rosé Nebula ($50). The diversity continues among B.C.'s best bubbles, which were only a decade ago nowhere near their current standard of quality. As traditional European producers face ever-increasing warming trends and falling acid levels, B.C. sparkling wine remains as fresh and crisp. Case in point are the No. 13 and No. 15 bottles: Lightning Rock Winery's 2022 Blanc de Noirs, Canyonview Vineyard ($40), and Road 13's 2019 Select Harvest Old Vine Sparkling Chenin Blanc ($52). The latter is made with some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in Canada, planted as early as 1968. B.C. bottles also finished in 16th, 18th and 21st place: a new release, the Laughing Stock 2020 Market Bubbles ($40); an old favourite that over delivers for the price every year, the Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Rosé Brut ($32); and another offering from the highly successful Township sparkling wine program, the Township 7 2021 Seven Stars Polaris ($40). There are fewer and fewer wine competitions and, frankly, none attract the numbers that the WineAlign National Wine Awards do. In the case of sparkling wines, there were 98 entries from across the country, lending any medal winner considerable gravitas. Next time, we'll look at some of the top-scoring B.C. wines from various categories as the results roll out. For a complete listing of all the medal winners and ongoing analysis, you can visit or . $40.00 I 91/100 UPC: 063657045596 The first bubble we have seen from Laughing Stock is off to a good start. Expect a classic Brut style with a punch of Okanagan energy, courtesy of its upfront acidity and brightness. The nose and palate are all about apples, with a hint of other orchard fruits and some welcomed toasted notes from aging. Its finish is soft with hints of caramel and bakery scents. Ready to drink. $36.50 I 91/100 UPC: 626990189909 Pouring a barely there pink/orange tint, this brisk, dry and structured sparkler streams wild cherry, creamy raspberry, and crab apple, giving it both depth and freshness. It has proven to be very food-friendly over the years, and this addition will be no exception. The Blanc de Noirs is produced from a single block of Pinot Noir clone 93 vines, planted in 1985, and is now blended with a small amount of estate Meunier. It is the real thing. $42.00 I 92/100 UPC: 778913801655 This certified organic sparkler is crafted from the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the valley. The fruit used to be part of the Road 13 program but is now heading up the sparkling wines at CedarCreek. It has the seriousness you would expect from 50+ year old vines, but also offers a level of purity and freshness that grabs your attention. Finally, it is the flavours that grab you, combining honey, pie crust and fresh-cut red and green apples. The finish is long and distinguished with bright acidity. It is ready to drink, but will age with ease through 2028. $26.90 I 88/100 UPC: 626990156208 The Stoneboat Méthode Cuvée Close is whole cluster pressed. The free-run juice is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel with a secondary fermentation inside closed tanks. It is bottled 30 days after fermentation, meaning it lacks the bread dough or biscuit notes found in sparklers aged much longer. A Prosecco-style B.C. sparkler with cleaner and more intense fruit creates an attractive, peachy, mandarin and apple-driven effervescence that goes down easily. $29.99 I 88/100 UPC: 00696852117357 The Blue Grouse Charme de l'île Blanc is the Cowichan Valley version of a mid-tier Prosecco. Made in the Charmat style, in which a large tank is injected with carbon dioxide to create soft bubbles, the BG version is a fresh blend of Island grapes, led by 50 per cent Schonberger, mixed with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Ortega. It is a vibrant sparkler with engaging citrus, floral and green notes, and a hint of salinity within its creamy texture — definitely a fun late-afternoon, happy-hour sipper. • Quails' Gate Winery's Old Vines Restaurant, one of B.C.'s first winery restaurants, turns 25 this year. From the start, it has championed local farmers, foragers and producers, building menus around what can be grown or gathered in the surrounding area. To commemorate the milestone, Old Vines is celebrating with a collection of seasonal offerings and anniversary highlights throughout the year. A Culinary Reunion will bring together a distinguished lineup of alumni chefs who have shaped the restaurant's storied legacy. Other seasonal releases, such as Wildflower Honey, quince paste at harvest and fermented cherries for the holidays, underscore the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and circular culinary practices. There will also be a rotating dish from past menus each month, such as the current offering, Roasted Spring Salmon, accompanied by pommes Anna, Armstrong asparagus, Okanagan morel mushrooms, and garden sorrel cream. For reservations and more information, visit . • An unnamed couple were found dead in their wine cellar on July 4 after being overcome by a 'chemical reaction' caused by dry ice. The couple, who lived in River Oaks, Houston, had been preparing to entertain guests at an Independence Day party when the incident occurred. Police reported that dry ice was being stored in the wine cellar, but when it melts, it turns into carbon dioxide gas. Unfortunately, it appears the gas overcame the couple as they entered the cellar. $26.99 I 89/100 UPC: 793588413293 A Provençal-inspired ashen pink hue characterizes this wine. It delivers approachable freshness and understated stone fruit and watermelon flavours, making it an enjoyable and refreshing choice. Slightly sweeter in quality, this enhances its drinkability and charm. Crafted from Oregon Pinot Noir, this replacement wine maintains an elegant standard. Serve throughout the summer — your guests will appreciate your generosity in sharing it with them. Restaurants should stock up. $19.99 I 88/100 UPC: 183103000013 Ernie Loosen is a driven winemaker and Riesling is his passion. This label has always been of great value as an introduction to Mosel Riesling. Juicy and ripe, it's a mix of pear juice, yellow apples and an intoxicating Mosel perfume with a hint of spice. You get all that and more at only 8.5 per cent alcohol. It is easy to like and even easier to drink. Stock up.
Copts Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- Copts Today
How Elite Players Choose Their VIP Online Casino
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The top platforms respond within five minutes through 24/7 live chat. VIP players should have dedicated account managers who know their gaming priorities, betting patterns, and personal achievements. These VIP managers are a vital part of keeping players happythis is a big deal as it means that VIP players bring in up to 80% of casino profits even with high dropout rates (40-45% in the first month). Evaluating withdrawal speed and limits Withdrawal options are the foundations of top vip online casinos. Regular accounts usually max out at 2,000 daily, but VIP members can take out much more. To name just one example: Non-VIP withdrawal limits: 794.16 daily, 3,970.80 weekly, or 15,883.20 monthly VIP tier 1-5 limits: Up to 63,532.81 monthly plus full progressive jackpot payouts VIPs also get their money faster, often within hours instead of days. Looking for transparent VIP terms Real casino vip benefits should have clear, available terms. 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Players can see real value as they move up the status levels, especially when monthly withdrawal limits jump from 15,883 to over 63,000 for VIPs. Choosing the right platform means taking a close look at licenses, software partners, and money matters. The best platforms have UKGC or MGA licenses and high-limit tables from Evolution Gaming. Clear rules about how to qualify for VIP status show that a casino runs an honest operation.
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Seven Stars Announces First Fund to Back the Visionaries Shaping AI's Future
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seven Stars, a venture capital firm that partners with founders building the next generation of AI companies, today announced the launch of its inaugural $40 million pre-seed and seed-stage fund, oversubscribed in just five weeks. Founded and managed by Steven Lee, former Partner at SV Angel, Seven Stars will focus on partnering with early-stage AI startups with a sharp focus on applications across both consumer and enterprise technology. 'AI is the equalizer for the 90%, poised to transform lives on a global scale – and it all starts with motivated founders to build enduring companies that empower individuals and companies to thrive in a rapidly-changing world.' 'While AI already benefits one billion knowledge workers across finance, law, and marketing, I'm most excited by AI's impact on the rest of the world's eight billion people,' said Steven Lee, Founder and General Partner at Seven Stars. 'AI is the equalizer for the 90%, poised to transform lives on a global scale – and it all starts with motivated founders to build enduring companies that empower individuals and companies to thrive in a rapidly-changing world.' Lee has been investing in seed-stage AI companies since the early days of the AI revolution and has helped founders raise over $1.25 billion in capital. He built Seven Stars to deliver unique value to visionary AI founders, offering hands-on fundraising coaching, access to a diverse talent pipeline, and a thoughtfully-curated advisory network with world-class executives, operators, and researchers with experience from leading AI companies, including Google, Nubank, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Seven Stars' model is focused on co-investing and working collaboratively alongside other VCs and angel investors. The firm's well-established LP base comprises long-term institutional investors, including a university endowment, pension fund, and firms managing capital on behalf of endowments, foundations and insurance companies, among others. 'Steven's extensive relationships and trusted reputation with leading AI companies have positioned Seven Stars to drive the next phase of AI-driven disruption,' said Hunter Somerville, Partner at StepStone Group (NASDAQ: STEP), a global private markets investment firm. 'We're proud to invest in his oversubscribed inaugural fund.' 'Steven exemplifies the core principles we look for when backing a new manager,' said Nate Leung, Partner at Sapphire Partners and co-founder of OpenLP. 'In our opinion, he brings an outstanding track record from a highly respected firm, with clear early signals of potential outperformance and what we believe is a distinct investment edge. His portfolio already includes several category-leading companies in AI applications, and his reputation is backed by strong endorsements from founders and co-investors alike. With strong integrity, ambition, and a deep commitment to building authentic relationships, we're excited to support Steven as he builds Seven Stars into an enduring firm.' Lee's investment thesis – and the backstory behind the firm's name – is deeply rooted in his background as first-generation Korean-American, born in Los Angeles' Koreatown. His parents' clothing small business called 'Seven Star Fashion' was the influence behind the Seven Stars name – and in practice, Lee resonates with founders with entrepreneurial stories similar to his family's. As one of the few Korean-descent partners in the VC industry, he's an active member of Gold House, a non-profit organization that empowers and unites Asian Pacific creators and businesses. In 2024, Gold House named Lee as one of the most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture and society alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and Stanford Professor Fei-Fei Li. 'When I meet a founder, I'm drawn to their life story, the obstacles they've overcome, and what motivates them to build an iconic company,' continued Lee. 'Digging into the real grit of the founder can oftentimes signal the ultimate success of a startup – with the founder at the center of it all.' About Seven Stars Seven Stars is a pre-seed and seed-stage fund that partners with next-generation founders building enduring AI companies, with a focus on applications across both consumer and enterprise technology. The fund is founded and managed by Steven Lee, a former SV Angel partner with nine years of investing experience. Lee has advised hundreds of founders on more than 900 financings, helping raise over $1.25 billion in capital to-date. For more information, visit
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seven Stars Announces First Fund to Back the Visionaries Shaping AI's Future
Founded by former SV Angel Partner Steven Lee, the $40 million oversubscribed fund will support next-generation founders building enduring AI application companies SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seven Stars, a venture capital firm that partners with founders building the next generation of AI companies, today announced the launch of its inaugural $40 million pre-seed and seed-stage fund, oversubscribed in just five weeks. Founded and managed by Steven Lee, former Partner at SV Angel, Seven Stars will focus on partnering with early-stage AI startups with a sharp focus on applications across both consumer and enterprise technology. "While AI already benefits one billion knowledge workers across finance, law, and marketing, I'm most excited by AI's impact on the rest of the world's eight billion people," said Steven Lee, Founder and General Partner at Seven Stars. "AI is the equalizer for the 90%, poised to transform lives on a global scale – and it all starts with motivated founders to build enduring companies that empower individuals and companies to thrive in a rapidly-changing world." Lee has been investing in seed-stage AI companies since the early days of the AI revolution and has helped founders raise over $1.25 billion in capital. He built Seven Stars to deliver unique value to visionary AI founders, offering hands-on fundraising coaching, access to a diverse talent pipeline, and a thoughtfully-curated advisory network with world-class executives, operators, and researchers with experience from leading AI companies, including Google, Nubank, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Seven Stars' model is focused on co-investing and working collaboratively alongside other VCs and angel investors. The firm's well-established LP base comprises long-term institutional investors, including a university endowment, pension fund, and firms managing capital on behalf of endowments, foundations and insurance companies, among others. "Steven's extensive relationships and trusted reputation with leading AI companies have positioned Seven Stars to drive the next phase of AI-driven disruption," said Hunter Somerville, Partner at StepStone Group (NASDAQ: STEP), a global private markets investment firm. "We're proud to invest in his oversubscribed inaugural fund." "Steven exemplifies the core principles we look for when backing a new manager," said Nate Leung, Partner at Sapphire Partners and co-founder of OpenLP. "In our opinion, he brings an outstanding track record from a highly respected firm, with clear early signals of potential outperformance and what we believe is a distinct investment edge. His portfolio already includes several category-leading companies in AI applications, and his reputation is backed by strong endorsements from founders and co-investors alike. With strong integrity, ambition, and a deep commitment to building authentic relationships, we're excited to support Steven as he builds Seven Stars into an enduring firm." Lee's investment thesis – and the backstory behind the firm's name – is deeply rooted in his background as first-generation Korean-American, born in Los Angeles' Koreatown. His parents' clothing small business called "Seven Star Fashion" was the influence behind the Seven Stars name – and in practice, Lee resonates with founders with entrepreneurial stories similar to his family's. As one of the few Korean-descent partners in the VC industry, he's an active member of Gold House, a non-profit organization that empowers and unites Asian Pacific creators and businesses. In 2024, Gold House named Lee as one of the most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture and society alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and Stanford Professor Fei-Fei Li. "When I meet a founder, I'm drawn to their life story, the obstacles they've overcome, and what motivates them to build an iconic company," continued Lee. "Digging into the real grit of the founder can oftentimes signal the ultimate success of a startup – with the founder at the center of it all." About Seven Stars Seven Stars is a pre-seed and seed-stage fund that partners with next-generation founders building enduring AI companies, with a focus on applications across both consumer and enterprise technology. The fund is founded and managed by Steven Lee, a former SV Angel partner with nine years of investing experience. Lee has advised hundreds of founders on more than 900 financings, helping raise over $1.25 billion in capital to-date. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Kira Wolfe, COMMANDkira@ Sign in to access your portfolio
